ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
PIB Headquarters
CMFRI joins hands with Korampadam Co-operative Bank to promote cage fish farming
In a major effort which is beneficial to hundreds of families in Kadamakkudy panchayat, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute  has partnered with the Korampadam Service Co-operative Bank, Kothad to promote cage fish farming in the backwaters of the panchayat. In a joint initiative aimed at helping the villagers become small-scale entrepreneurs through cage fish farming, the CMFRI and the Bank conducted a skill development programme to train them in practicing the less-expensive farming method. As many as 114 villagers attended the training that covered various stages of cage fish farming such as cage fabrication, site identification, species selection, feed management, harvest and marketing. Visits to cage farming sites and practical training were also included in the three-day programme.
In further step to promote the cage farming enterprises in the backwaters of the panchayat, the CMFRI will offer all the technical guidance to the villagers while the Bank will give them loan as initial capital to those starting the cage fish farming. The CMFRI would extend technical support to the farmers on each phases of the cage farming to empower them becoming entrepreneurs in the field, said Dr A Gopalakrishnan, Director of CMFRI. “This will act as a source for additional income to the fishermen and it will help increase the domestic fish production as well”, he added. Species such as cobia, seabass, snappers, mullet and pearl spot will be used for cage farming.
The collaborative programme has been linked with CMFRI’s ongoing project launched last year aiming to train 5000 fishermen across the country in practicing cage fish farming with the financial assistance of the National Fisheries Development Board .
“The CMFRI has so far trained 2500 fishermen all over the country, and around 2500 cage fish farming units are currently operational across the coastal states under CMFRI’s technical guidance”, said Dr Imelda Joseph, Head of Mariculture division of CMFRI.
The CMFRI is also part of a joint initiative with the NFDB to set up 500 cage fish farming units in Kerala by providing technical as well as financial aids to the fish farmers.
IE/BSN
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Ministry of Defence
DRDO develops bio suit with seam sealing glue to keep health professionals fighting COVID-19 safe
Defence Research and Development Organisation  has developed a bio suit to keep the medical, paramedical and other personnel engaged in combating COVID-19 safe from the deadly virus. Scientists at various DRDO laboratories have applied their technical know-how and expertise in textile, coating and nanotechnology to develop the Personal Protective Equipment  having specific type of fabric with coating.
The suit has been prepared with the help of the industry and subjected to rigorous testing for textile parameters as well as protection against synthetic blood. The protection against synthetic blood exceeds the criteria defined for body suits by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare .
The DRDO is making all efforts to ensure that these suits are produced in large numbers and serve as robust line of defence for the medics, paramedics and other personnel in the front line combating COVID-19.
The industry is geared up for production of the suit in large quantities. M/s Kusumgarh Industries is producing the raw material, coating material, with the complete suit being manufactured with the help of another vendor. The current production capacity is 7,000 suits per day.
Another vendor is being brought in with the experience in garment technology and efforts are on to ramp up the capacity to 15,000 suits per day.
The bio suit production in the country by DRDO industry partners and other industries are being hampered due to non-availability of seam sealing tapes.
The DRDO has prepared a special sealant as an alternative to seam sealing tape based on the sealant used in submarine applications. Presently, bio suits prepared using this glue for seam sealing by an industry partner has cleared test at Southern India Textile Research Association  Coimbatore. This can be a game changer for the textile industry. The DRDO can mass produce this glue through industry to support the seam sealing activity by suit manufacturers.
The DRDO has developed a number of products and technologies for defence against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear  agents. Defence Research and Development Establishment  Gwalior, a laboratory of DRDO, has developed Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear  Permeable Suit Mk V. Fifty three thousand suits have been supplied to Army and National Disaster Response Force .
For first responders attending to radiological emergencies, a reusable suit has been developed by Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences  Delhi.
Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment  Agra has developed various types of parachutes with fabrics similar to protective technical textiles.
ABB/SS/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy/ADA
(Visitor Counter : 3863
Prime Minister's Office
Lt. Gen H. R. McMaster, U.S. National Security Advisor calls on Prime Minister
Lt. Gen H. R. McMaster, U.S. National Security Advisor called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.
Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster conveyed the greetings of President Donald Trump to Prime Minister. Prime Minister recalled his positive telephonic conversations with President Trump that reaffirmed the importance attached by both sides to the strategic partnership and to stepping up India-U.S. engagement across the board.
Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster shared his perspective with Prime Minister on the security situation in the extended region, including in Afghanistan, West Asia and the DPRK. During the conversation, they exchanged views on how both countries can work together to effectively address the challenge of terrorism and to advance regional peace, security and stability.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Details of Indians Repatriated Under Vande Bharat Mission
Vande Bharat Mission consists of special repatriation flights operated by Indian carriers and chartered flights operated by both Indian and foreign carriers. As per information provided by the Ministry of External Affairs , as on 31.08.2020, a total of 5817 flights  were operated to repatriate Indian nationals. The country-wise details of repatriated Indians along with the state-wise arrival figures are attached as Annexure-A 
As per information submitted by the State Government of Tamil Nadu, a total of 585 Vande Bharat Mission flights have been operated to the State of Tamil Nadu till the end of Phase 5. Phase-wise details are given in the Annexure-B
This information was given in a written reply by Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State , Civil Aviation in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
UNITED BANK OF INDIA TODAY RELEASED FINANCIAL RESULTS QUARTER 2 FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2019-20
Kolkata, October 30, 2019.
United Bank of India today released Financial Results Q2, F.Y. 2019-20 at Kolkata. Shri Ashok Kr. Pradhan, Managing Director & CEO, UBI today said UBI total bsiness stood at Rs.208725 crore with Deposits at Rs.134304 crore and Advances at Rs.74441 crore. He said, Deposits grew by 3.33%, Advances increased by 11.36% and Total Business improved by 6.06% on Year over Year basis.
Shri Pradhan said Current Account & Savings Account  deposits at Rs.68387 crore further improved to 50.92% of total deposits with a growth of 169 bps Year over Year. He said the Bank registered a quarterly Net Profit of Rs.123.88 crore for the Qr ended Septernber 2019 against a Net Loss of Rs.883.17 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. On sequential basis, Net Profit for the quarter increased by approx 18% from Rs.104.99 crore .
He said in this financial year the Bank earned Operating Profit of Rs.598.57 crore for Q2 ended September 2019 against an Operating Profit of Rs.206.37 crore in September 2018 quarter, registering a growth of 190.78% on Year over Year basis. Net interest margin  increased to 2.91 % in Q2 FY-20 thereby recording an improvement of 75 bps over 2.16% in Q2 FY-19. Net Interest Income  for quarter ended September 2019 increased to Rs.772.78 crore against Rs.442.60 crore in the same quarter last fiscal.
He said Cost to Income Ratio improved to 55.55% against 77.56% over the corresponding period previous year.
CG/SS
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Relive the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi through the NFAI Exhibition at IFFI 2018
"Mahatma on Celluloid” Multimedia Digital Exhibition at IFFI 2018"
As India is celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, IFFI '2018 will pay a befitting tribute in the soon to be held festival.
The National Film Archives of India in collaboration with the Bureau of Outreach and Communication is organizing a multi-media digital exhibition as a tribute to the Mahatma, who inspired countries around the world with his philosophy of Truth and Non-Violence .
Titled “Mahatma on Celluloid”, the exhibition provides a state-of-the-art digital experience to the viewers who can relive the life and times of Mahatma, and draw inspiration from his ideals and work.
The exhibition will be inaugurated by Col. RajyavardhanRathore, Minister of State, , Informaton& Broadcasting in presence of Secretary, Mr. Amit Khare.The exhibition will showcase films on Gandhi such as Making of Mahatma and Gandhi on 35 mm screens installed at the venue. The exhibition will also host quizzes, games and interactive events, which will provide the visitors the patriotic fervor by transporting them into the bygone era of freedom movement of India.
The exhibition will run throughout the festival. The launch of the exhibition is scheduled for 10:!5 am on 21st Nov at the Kala Academy and is open for public.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Anant Jeet Singh Naruka for winning a historic Silver Medal in the Skeet Men’s Shooting event
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi congratulated Anant Jeet Singh Naruka for winning a historic Silver Medal in the Skeet Men’s Shooting event at Asian Games.
In a X post, the PM said;
“Our athletes continue to script history at the Asian Games!
Congratulations to Anant Jeet Singh Naruka for winning a historic Silver Medal in the Skeet Men’s Shooting event. This is the first ever medal won by India in this event in any Asian Games.
May this success inspire the coming generations.”
Ministry of Defence
Home Delivery of medicines to begin from tomorrow under SERVICES e-HEALTH ASSISTANCE AND TELECONSULTATION 
Services e-Health Assistance and Teleconsultation  is the tri-services teleconsultation service of the MoD designed for all entitled personnel and their families. As part of the Government’s commitment to Digital India and e-Governance, the Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched SeHAT on 27 May 2021. It has been a great example of innovation, especially at a time when the nation is fighting the COVID-19.
SeHAT stay home OPD is a patient-to-doctor system where the patient can consult a doctor remotely through the internet using his Smartphone, laptop, Desktop or Tablet. The consultation occurs through video, audio and chat at the same time. It aims to provide quality healthcare services to patients from the comfort of their homes. Safe and structured video-based clinical consultations between a doctor in a hospital, and a patient within the confines of his or her home anywhere in the country, have been enabled.
It is designed to be extremely simple and easy to use, which requires minimal effort from the users. The user does not need to pay anything to seek teleconsultation & can simply access the services by visiting https://sehatopd.gov.in, or by using the SeHAT apps available on the Play store & App Stores. Since its launch, there have been more than 10,000 successful teleconsultations on SeHAT, with a strong team of 2000 plus doctors onboard. The feedback from the environment has been extremely heart-warming.
Furthermore, taking the healthcare delivery right to the patient’s doorsteps, the Hon’ble Defence Secretary Shri Ajay Kumar, took the novel initiative of providing Home Delivery or Self Pickup of Medicines to patients seeking consultation on SeHAT. Individuals desirous of their home delivery of self-pick-up may indicate their preference while logged in. To start with, this project of Home Delivery will be started with Base Hospital Delhi Cantt wef 01 Feb 2022, and would be extended to more and more stations in coming times.
ABB/Nampi/Rajib
(Visitor Counter : 4418
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Signing of MoU between Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India  &Aravali Power Company Pvt. Ltd ,Jhajjar
Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and Aravali Power Company Pvt Ltd ,Jhajjar signed a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday at Jhajjar, Haryanafor Rs. 2 Crores for Distribution of Aids and Assistive Devices to Persons with Disabilities at CharkhiDadri District of Haryana under the CSR initiative of APCPL in the presence of Shri D.R. Sarin, CMD, ALIMCO and ShriN.N.Mishra, CEO, APCPL.
As per the MoU signed between ALIMCO and APCPL, Distribution camps will be organized at CharkhiDadri District for an estimated cost of Rs 2 Crores.In the Distribution Camps artificial limbs, aids & appliances such as Motorized Tricycles Tricycle, Wheel Chairs, BTE Hearing Aids, Crutch Axilla Adjustable, Braille Cane, MSIED Kit, Braille Kit, Smart Cane, Smart Phones etc. to Persons with Disabilities will be distributed.
ALIMCO is a “Not ForProfit” Central Public Sector Undertaking working under the administrative control of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.For past 40 years, ALIMCO has been relentlessly manufacturing various types of aids and appliances on mass scale to meet the requirements of PwDs including orthopedically, visual and hearing impaired etc. It has been serving on an average around two lakhs of disabled population every year and has supplied 42 lakhs of aids & appliances .
Aravali Power Company Pvt Ltd is a Joint venture company with 50% share of NTPC Ltd, 25% of Haryana Power Generation Company Ltd , and 25% of Indraprastha Power Generation Company Ltd . It has already distributed Aids and Appliances to Divyangjan last year at Jhajjar&Rewari Districts  valuing Rs. 3 Crores in association with ALIMCO and now they have signed MoU for nearer District CharkhiDadri.
Ministry of Culture
Union Culture Minister Shri G Kishan Reddy chairs the 37th meeting of Central Advisory Board of Archaeology 
25 members participated in the meeting
Union Culture and Tourism Minister, Shri G Kishan Reddy chaired the 37th Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology  held in New Delhi today. The meeting was attended by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, MoS for Ministry of Culture and Parliamentary Affairs, Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS for Ministry of Culture and External Affairs.
15 Representatives from various States and UTs, 4 Ex Director Generals of Archaeological Survey of India , Director General of ASI along with officials of Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India were present in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy informed the house that the Union Government in Budget speech 2020 and 2021 declared 5 sites of significant cultural importance iconic sites, these sites are being developed as per international norms – Rakhigarhi , Hastinapur , Dholavira , Sibsagar  and Aadichanallur . He highlighted that India recently got elected as member of World Heritage Committee of UNESCO for a four year term from 2021 to 2025 and also as many as 9 new sites  got inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage sites which takes India’s count to 40 in UNESCO World Heritage list. He further stated that 241 antiquities are now being brought back to India of which 228 were brought back since 2014 from various countries like USA, Australia, UK, Singapore, France and others and also excavations were done at sites like Sinauli, Vadnagar, Kodumanal, Gottiporulu. Epigraphy wing has also done a lot of work;more than 3500 inscriptions across the country were discovered and deciphered.
The Minister added that Govt. is working on an amendment to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains  Act, 1958 to make it more "flexible and friendly.” He asked for an active participation of ASI in the the ‘Har Ghar Jhanda’ campaign for 75th Independence day celebrations. The minister added that a good opportunity is coming for India when it will be hosting G20 countries, the meeting will take place in important places that will include ASI sites also.
Speaking during the meeting the Minister of State for Culture Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal said that ‘a standardization should be made for the inclusion of site/monument in ASI list, and if need may be arise monuments can also be dropped from the list.’ He said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister 228 antiquities were brought back to India since 2014 while earlier only 13 were brought back. He further said that there is need to find a solution to present our heritage sites to world community with a much holistic approach. He added that ASI will get a good chunk from the 10 lakhs job vacancies as announced recently and the coming opportunity of G-20 needs to be fully utilized.
During the meeting 42 resolutions from members were deliberated. Matters pertaining to excavations, manpower, training, conservation, collaboration with universities among other issues were discussed.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Weather-Based Index Insurance Scheme
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana  with a highest ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crore for a period of 5 years with effect from 2020-21 to 2024- 25 in all the States/Union Territories. PMMSY inter-alia provides livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fisher’s families during the fishing ban/lean period under which Governmental financial assistance of Rs. 3000/- per annum is provided to each enrolled beneficiary along with beneficiary contribution of Rs. 1500/- annually. Further, such accumulated amount of Rs. 4500/- is disbursed to each enrolled beneficiary by the respective State/UT at the rate of Rs. 1500/- per month during the fishing ban/lean period for three months annually.
PMMSY also provides support for insurance to fishers and insurance premium subvention for fishing vessels under its Centrally Sponsored scheme component. Insurance coverage for fishers includes  Rs.5,00,000/- against accidental death or permanent total disability,  Rs.2,50,000/- for permanent partial disability and  insurance coverage for hospitalization expenses in the event of accident for a sum of Rs. 25,000/-. The Department of Fisheries has no proposal for providing weather-based index insurance scheme to cover the loss suffered by the fishermen due to adverse climatic changes. The draft National Fisheries Policy recommends for insurance of life, craft and gear and other assets of fishers from the vagaries of nature.
This information was given by The Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Shri. Parshottam Rupala in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Deaths from heatwaves
In the recent years death due to heat waves have decreased significantly. However, the figures for the year 2023 are not yet updated by the National Crime Record Bureau , Ministry of Home Affairs.
It is a fact that, annual temperature is increasing globally and the impact of the same is reflected in the increase in heat waves in various parts of the globe including India. IMD issues forecast and warnings related to severe weather events including heat waves in different spatial and temporal scales and share the same with public as well as disaster management authorities so as to initiate required mitigation measures.
In the country, appreciable rise in maximum temperatures as well as heat waves are found to be more in the months of April, May & June. As an initiative IMD is issuing Seasonal Outlook for temperatures for the months of April, May & June in the last week of March for planning purpose. This outlook brings out the expected scenario of heat waves also during the period. The seasonal outlook is followed by Extended Range Outlook issued on every Thursday for next two weeks. In addition to this, the forecast and the colour coded warnings for severe weather including heat wave warning are issued on daily basis for next five days with outlook for another two days.
As an adaptive measure, IMD in collaboration NDMA and local health departments have started heat action plan in many parts of the country to forewarn about the heat waves and also to advise the actions to be taken during such occasions. Currently, 23 States that are prone to high temperatures leading to heat-wave conditions are part of the heat action plans.
Recently IMD has launched Heat Index, which provides information about the impact of humidity on the high temperatures and thus provides a feel like temperature for human beings which can be used as an indication for human discomfort. It provides guidance towards additional care to be taken by people to reduce discomfort.
There is no specific fund allocation for the purpose of heat wave related services. Under the central sector scheme “Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services ” the expenditure involved towards the services of IMD for the period from 2018 to 2023 is given below:
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ACROSS-IMD
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Year
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Budget Estimates
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Revised Estimates
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Actual Expenditure
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||
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2018-19
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186.46
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185.89
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175.93
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2019-20
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207.17
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224.73
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206.02
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2020-21
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249.22
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155.20
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150.35
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2021-22
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255.40
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193.68
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183.73
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2022-23
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216.71
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216.41
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211.00
This information was given by Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches on Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors in Haryana and Delhi-NCR
The Income Tax Department carried out search and seizure operations on 29.06.2022 on a group engaged in the business of manufacturing and distribution of Pharmaceutical medicines and Real Estate Development. The search action covered 25 premises in Delhi-NCR and Haryana.
A large number of incriminating documents in the form of loose sheets and digital data have been found and seized. These documents reveal that the group was involved in huge unaccounted sales of pharmaceutical medicines in cash. Large amount of purchases, payments of wages and other expenses were also found to have been made in cash.
This modus-operandi of unaccounted cash sales of pharmaceutical medicines, including cash receipts through hawala for sale of medicines to Afghanistan, has been admitted by a key person involved in such transactions. The preliminary analysis of the seized data indicates that such hawala cash receipts amount to Rs. 25 crore approximately. In the case of one pharmaceutical concern dealing in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients , surplus stock valued at Rs. 94 crore has been found.
It is also found that the cash generated through unaccounted cash sales has been invested in purchase of immovable properties, and in expansion of manufacturing facilities of Pharmaceutical medicines. The real estate entities of the group are found to be engaged in out-of-books sale and purchase of properties in cash. The group has also been booking bogus Long Term/ Short Term Capital Losses in the securities market to offset the capital gains earned on such property transactions. The amount of such bogus losses is estimated to be around Rs. 20 crore. The search action has revealed that the group has also floated benami entities to purchase immovable properties in the State of Himachal Pradesh.
So far, unaccounted cash of Rs. 4.2 crore and jewellery/bullion worth Rs. 4 crore have been seized.
Further investigations are in progress.